MISSION STATEMENT
Tampa City Ballet (TCB) leads Tampa Bay in a global dance movement, dedicated to creating, developing, producing, and presenting interdisciplinary works rich in artistry and historical content. We engage the community in our creative process, transforming unconventional spaces into vibrant open-air stages.
TCB enriches Tampa Bay's cultural landscape by fostering collaborations across dance, music, and a range of arts disciplines—visual, performing, literary, and media. Through these partnerships, we illuminate the diverse cultural tapestry of our community.
Whether through collaboration, presentation, or development, TCB is committed to enriching our community. We prioritize educational and wellness programs that engage diverse audiences, including seniors and young learners, fostering a profound appreciation for dance as both an educational tool and an artistic pursuit.
Programs
Tampa City Ballet’s performance program aspires to develop new work that draws on the creative talents of contemporary choreographers and speaks to the time in which it is made and the history that inspired it. During the COVID-19 pandemic, TCB’s resilience was tested. Through the talents of artistic director Paula Nunez and the brilliant filmmaker Natalie Marty, 7th Avenue & Ybor-102 Degrees was produced.
The short film about the cycle of life, loss, and love in 1918 Ybor City, hit hardest by the Spanish Flu, has been selected into several prestigious film festivals around the country. In addition, family friendly events such as newly inspired creations of classic stories like Pulcinella, Cinderella, Nutcracker along with cutting edge contemporary/mature choreographic works, such as After Image, If I Cry, and It’s Been a Minute. TCB creates and stages a minimum of four unique events annually, promoted and presented to communities across Tampa Bay. Some are presented at no cost; others are ticketed events.
Tampa City Ballet’s Education Program is designed to meet the needs of anyone from child to senior citizen at all levels from novice to preprofessional dancer. In partnership with the University Area Community Development Corporation, a non-profit whose mission is children and family development, TCB provides instruction and offers scholarships to talented youth who qualify.
Community Engagement
Tampa City Ballet’s community engagement program is designed to inspire the Tampa Bay communities with the power of dance. TCB believes dance is a social rite for all people, regardless of age, class, race, ability, or economic station.
TCB engages with senior living facilities, home-schooled youth, the University Area Community Development Corporation, the Ybor City Development Corporation, and museums to provide and preserve the art of dance in Tampa Bay.
Goals
To expand TCB audiences and make ballet accessible to the widest possible public.
To raise the visibility of TCB by actively deepening our commitment to reflect the diversity of Tampa Bay on stage, in training programs, in our audiences and within the TCB leadership.
To establish a permanent home for TCB where we can promote the arts, further cultivate a professionally dance-centered culture, expand community outreach classes, and create 21st century dance works.
To support professional dancers.
To collaborate with local, national and international choreographers.
To firmly establish and grow brand awareness of Tampa City Ballet.
Objectives
Tampa City Ballet is currently seeking new Board Members. TCB invites dynamic individuals, businesses, and organizations to join our Board of Directors. We seek expertise and network connections that will bring fresh insights and support to TCB as we continue to grow and enrich our community.
Continuously cultivate impactful partnerships and relationships for TCB within Tampa’s vibrant tourism industry, collaborating closely with organizations like Visit Tampa Bay. Together, we will innovate strategies to enhance TCB’s visibility and promote our organization effectively to visitors
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Building on the success of our partnership with the University Area Community Development Corporation through the On Your Feet program, Tampa City Ballet is expanding its impact by collaborating with Mort Elementary.
Looking ahead, Tampa City Ballet plans to expand our successful On Your Feet program by establishing three new satellite locations across Tampa Bay. This initiative is designed to have a profound social impact, enriching our community and cultural landscape. It will create teaching positions for TCB dancers and engage new audiences, forging lasting connections that sustain and strengthen our impact on the Tampa Bay area.
Tampa City Ballet will continue to attract professional dancers/teachers to perform with TCB and teach in our Summer Intensive Programs.
Tampa City Ballet will launch a trainee program for eight pre-professional dancers interested in training with TCB.
Tampa City Ballet, under the artistic direction of Paula Nunez, remains committed to producing and presenting world premieres of original choreographic works in diverse venues. From theaters to open spaces and private events, we strive to innovate and inspire through our dynamic performances.